The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is "working toward a date of 2016," to complete the plan to raise the deck of the steel arch bridge over the Kill van Kull from 151 feet to 215 feet, in order to clear a path for larger ships, the Journal reported, citing information from an agency source.

"The Port Authority continues to move this critical project forward at an historic pace to the benefit of the region," the port said in a statement after a June 10 meeting with stakeholders, according to the Journal of Commerce. "There are a number of factors, including the required environmental review process, that will impact the project. An update was provided on the concurrent tracks the agency is aggressively advancing to expedite the project timeline."

The plan, announced last year, calls for elevating the span of the bridge in sections.